Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and his Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolor, share among other things, the passion to promote Ijaw Language and rescue it from extinction.
The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) listed the Ijaw language as one of the 3000 languages that will soon go into extinction.
To reverse the trend, the culture commissioner and his team came up with the Ijaw Bebe Tolumo programme. Ijaw Bebe has the objectives of developing, promoting and encouraging the teaching and learning of Ijaw language in schools and homes. It also aims at training sufficient Ijaw language teachers; producing texts, literature in Ijaw language and producing a composite Ijaw language dictionary.
The Ijaw Bebe is also expected to develop Ijaw language to be taught and examined in junior/secondary schools, diploma, ‘A’ Levels, degree and higher levels and develop a standard or common Ijaw language for all Bayesans.
The Ijaw Bebe programme was launched last year by Dickson himself. The launching created excitement among the language experts and scholars who attended the event.
Tuodolor was aware that before any language could be learnt or taught in schools it must satisfy four criteria of the National Council on Education (NCE). Such language must have approved orthography, curriculum, language books and trained language teachers.
Undoubtedly, Tuodolor has driven the programme to an appreciable height. He has met all the requirements outlined by the NCE. Following the directive of the governor that books in Ijaw language produced under the programme should be made available and accessible to members of the public, Tuodolor is distributing the materials to private libraries in the state.
Recently, he presented the books to the Professor Azaiki Library and Museum, a prestigious private library built by the former Secretary to State Government (SSG), Prof. Steve Azaiki and his foundation.
The International Director of Azaiki Public Library, Mr. Derevianko Sergii, received the commissioner and his team. The Consultant at the library, Mrs. Ekine Euphemia, took the visitors on a tour of different departments and sections of the library.
Tuodolor expressed the determination of the state government to ensure that all Ijaws become competent speakers of Izon language in the state.
He narrated efforts made by the state government to meet the requirements of the NCE. On orthography, he said the state already has the Nembe, Izon and Epie orthographies adding that the ministry in conjunction with the Niger Delta University (NDU) also developed the Ogbia orthography in 2014.
He said the Ministry of Education got the Izon curriculum which is one of the requirements approved in 2003. He said though the curriculum was left unpublished, his ministry had published and got it ready for use.
Tuodolor explained that the ministry in collaboration with NDU set up five language committees with the task of planning, writing and translating books to Kolokuma, Epie, Ogbia, Nembe and Mein dialects.
On trained language teachers, the commissioner said NDU was mandated to facilitate the training of teachers. He said so far about many teachers had graduated from the Diploma programme.
“With these efforts we are happy to announce that we have fulfilled or met all the requirements of NCE for the learning and teaching of Ijaw language in our schools.
“This is a feat for which the restoration government should be applauded for ensuring that it matched words with action. As a government we will continue to promote the speaking of Ijaw language by complementary activities such as inter school debate, quizzes, cultural competition, observing Ijaw-speaking day, Ijaw films, Ijaw music and developing learning centres for adults”, he said.
He, however, said the Ijaw Bebe programme would not achieve its desired objectives if parents and community failed to play their roles. He said parents and guardians could complement government’s efforts by speaking the Ijaw language at home and in communities.
He said many books had been written in Ijaw dialects to actualise the government’s determination of saving the Ijaw language from extinction.
Tuodolo said: “A situation where Pidgin English now takes the place of Izon language from individual families is indeed a danger signal which, if not decisively handled now, may lead to the extinction of the language.
“To reverse this ugly trend, therefore, the ‘Izon bebe tolumo’ books have been presented to the library for the benefit of the general public. We wish to urge parents and wards to take it as a responsibility to ensure that their children and wards are taught the Izon language at home and not Pidgin English.
Receiving the various books from the state government, the International Director of Sergii, commended the government for the laudable initiative.
Sergii said: “The family is the first school every child attends. The importance of its roles to ensure that children become competent users of their mother tongue s cannot be underplayed. To this end, therefore, Pidgin English should not be an option.”
He assured the commissioner and his entourage that the books would be made available to the public.
In her remarks, Consultant at the library, Euphemia, said that language is key and a great unifying factor for a people. She took the commissioner and his entourage on a familiarisation tour of the various sections of the library.
Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has been in the saddle for over three years. Dickson has within the period hosted a few international events in Yenagoa, the state capital. But there is a local event with a global appeal that Dickson has failed to host – the Bayelsa Peace Day.
The Bayelsa Peace Day is very important to the historical development of the state. It is celebrated on August 22 to coincide with the day former creek warlords popularly called freedom fighters in the Niger Delta region surrendered their arms and ammunition to embrace the Amnesty Programme offered them by the Federal Government.
Prior to the day of disarmament, the region was a hotbed of militancy. The freedom fighters relocated to the creeks, set up militant camps and engaged federal troops in a prolonged war to protest the marginalisation of the region. They were angry that despite being the goose that lays the golden eggs, the region was allowed to languish in penury and neglect.
They were aggrieved that in spite of being the economic pillar of the country, the Niger Delta was abandoned to wallow in abject poverty. They protested violently and started satisfying with barrels of gun, demands the government refused to fulfill for them peacefully. Kidnapping became a burgeoning empire and waves of coordinated attacks on oil installations swept across the region. The militants soon brought oil production to its lowest ebb and brought the Nigerian economy to its knees.
But in his wisdom, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, governors and elders in the region brokered a peace deal. Yar’Adua proclaimed amnesty for the militants and brought them out of the creeks. On August 22, the grand finale of submission of arms and ammunition was held at the Adaka Boro Park, Yenagoa, which was also called the Peace Park to reflect the spirits of the day.
It was fearful sight to behold. Daring and fearless young men were on parade. Also in display, were cache of sophisticated arms and ammunition. Militant commanders whose names sent jitters into the spines of people came out and revealed their identities. The public for the first time, matched their faces with their names. They all renounced militancy and agreed to promote the peace.
So, the Bayelsa Peace Day was born. It was first celebrated on August 22, 2010 by the former administration of Governor Timipre Sylva. It was repeated in 2011 by Sylva who used the three-day event to remind the ex-militant leaders of their pledge for peace.
Through the occasion, he brought the ex-warlords together and became very popular among them. The eventful period used to be very colorful. Tompolo, Boyloaf, Africa, Pastor Reuben, Shoot-at-Sight, Ogunboss, Ateke Tom, Farrah and many other former ‘generals’, ‘commanders’ and their foot soldiers graced the event. Bayelsa bubbled as the events started with Peace Walk, concert and ended with the Miss Peace Beauty Pageant.
But since assuming office, Dickson has not hosted a day which the ex-militant leaders and many Bayelsans say is precious to them. Many people believe that the governor is far away from the ex-militants because of his inability to host the Peace Day.
In a letter addressed to the governor, one of the foremost ex-militant leaders, Mr. Victor Ben Ebikabowei, popularly called Boyloaf appealed to the governor to consider hosting the Peace Day. The letter which was obtained by the Niger Delta Report reminded the governor the reason for the celebration.
He said: “Most recently the Niger Delta region has been engulfed in hostilities induced by decades of undeserved official neglect, although the base of the nation’s wealth communities in the region still ranks tops in the list of under-developed communities of the country. These and other fundamental issues led us to arms struggle to liberate our people from the injustice done to them by the Nigerian State.
“However, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua took the bull by the horn to chart new course of peace by granting amnesty to militants in the region, thereby opening a new chapter of intellectual dialogue.
“The Amnesty Programme has succeeded beyond the imaginations of bookmakers and public analysts. August 22nd 2009 at the Peace park Yenagoa saw the return of the highest hull of arms since the commencement of the amnesty programme.
“This is a demonstration of our patriotism and eagerness to resolve the lingering issues amicably. Since the commencement of the amnesty programme our youths have been provided with non-violence training and sent to different parts of the world to acquire skills and enable them to be self-sustaining and re-integrate them to the society.
“In August 2010 & 2011 we celebrated the Bayelsa Peace Day, despite the meager funds; it was a huge success, the Peace Carnival Walk and Peace Concert.
“Once more, we are prepared to demonstrate to the nation and the International community that the historic disarmament exercise on August 22nd, 2009 at the Peace park Yenagoa was a not a mere charade or funfair. We are committed to a sustainable peace process for accelerated development of the state and the Niger Delta region”.
He told the governor that the event of this year was proposed to last three days with a range of artistic activities aimed at building a culture of peace. He said the proposed activities include symposium/lecture, Peace day carnival walk & concert and Miss Peace Bayelsa Beauty Pageant.
He said: “The peace walk/carnival in 2011 saw the participation of 4,000 youths. This year we anticipate over 5,000 youths will participate. The event is aimed at regaining the lost investors confidence and re-assure the international community and the nation that indeed there is peace in Bayelsa State.
“Above it will mark our collective progress towards building a culture of peace, make a stance against crime and violence and serve as a reminder of our permanent commitment to peace.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are warming up for the governorship election in Bayelsa State. Correspondent MIKE ODIEGWU examines the strengths and weaknesses of the parties the aspirants, and issues that will shape the exercise.
On December 5, the governorship election will hold in Bayelsa State, according to the timetable recently released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Eyes are on the oil-rich state as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are warming up for the exercise.
Bayelsa is a peculiar state. It has been governed by the PDP since 1999. The state produced former President Goodluck Jonathan, who hails from Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area. In the post-Jonathan period, the state is set for another major election.
How prepared is the APC to confront the PDP, which is nursing the wounds of its exit from power at the national level? PDP leaders believe that the election is a popularly test for Dr. Jonathan. According to them, the election should be viewed from the prism of the APC versus Jonathan.
They maintain that Jonathan is on a revenge mission against the APC, which may want to disgrace him the second time. These leaders intend to spread the sentiment during the exercise.
But, observers believe that Jonathan’s popularity has been diminished by the gale of defections rocking the PDP and his inability to resolve its squabbles. His friends, close associates and founding members of his party are leaving for the APC.
Besides, there is the sentiment of pro-establishment politics underlining the defection. Those leaving for the APC argue that Bayelsa cannot survive without the Federal Government.
The supporters of the PDP have, however, dismissed the argument. They assert that those defecting to the APC are driven by greed and their relentless search for an opportunity to feed fat on government resources. PDP loyalists said the defectors are thinking that the Federal Government will use its might to wrest power from the governor, without realising that under President Muhammadu Buhari, the dynamic of politics has changed.
One of the challenges facing the APC is how to manage the divergent interests of gladiators. Many notable politicians with various ambitions have dumped the PDP for the APC.
Some of the defectors have their eyes on the governorship ticket. A member of the State Working Committee (SWC) said over 20 aspirants are eyeing the ticket.
Observers believe that the method the APC will adopt to give them a sense of belonging will either make or mar the party. But, leaders are of the opinion that aspirants will be given a level-playing field to test their popularity. According to them, the feat achieved by the APC at the national level will be re-enacted in the state.
On internal democracy, the Chairman Mr. Tiwe Oruminighe, ruled out a consensus candidate. He said the party would not adopt any candidate. He said the APC ticket was open to aspirants, who must be willing to go through the primary election.
He urged members to disregard insinuations that the party would settle for a consensus candidate.
The chairman said: “On the issue of the adoption of a candidate and whatever the public must have heard about the APC, we want to reiterate that this party will follow strictly what the national leadership has demonstrated.
“Everybody in Bayelsa that wants to join the party has an ambition. They want to be governor or occupy other elective offices. Yes, it is good to keep an ambition, but this party wants to tell the public that whoever is joining us should keep an ambition at quiet end and join the party to work so that the party can deliver.
“We will not make the mistake of saying we are adopting a candidate. There will be proper primaries to select whoever that will fly the flag and I believe that the leadership is capable of producing a good standard bearer that will win election.
“I believe this will prove people wrong that we have adopted a candidate and that we are not together. This party remains one indivisible unit, very united and we will forge ahead stronger to win the election in Bayelsa.”
Beyond the claims of unity by Oruminighe, the APC has to deal decisively with the crisis in the fold. Chief Richard Kpodo, a former security adviser to former Governor Timipre Sylva, the leader of the APC, has an axe to grind with his former boss for the handling of the party.
Kpodo was the self-styled Chairman of the defunct New PDP in the state. He had wanted to lead the APC when his group formed an alliance with the party. Kpodo trumpeted the arrival of the APC and hoisted flags of the party around the secretariat of the APC.
But, his efforts were frustrated by his former boss, Sylva, who felt that the party would not be safe under the leadership of Kpodo. Oruminighe, a confidant of the former governor and former Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, later emerged as the chairman during its congress.
Kpodo has been waging a war against Sylva and the Oruminighe-led State Working Committee (SWC). Recently, he gathered some aggrieved members and held clandestine meetings, which party leaders described as offensive.
The APC wielded the big stick. The party said Kpodo and Mr. Sunday Oputu, had been expelled for a long time and have no right to organise the meeting.
The party accused its members who met with Kpodo of anti-party activities and suspended them. Those suspended are Christopher Abareowei, Harrow Zuokomor, Fred Akamu, Rosemary Okhieazi, Godwin Sidi, Livinus Otuakpa and Korepamo Enoch
The Secretary of the party, Mr. Marlin Daniel, said the action was meant to instill discipline in the party. Daniel clarified that there was no rift in the APC, stressing that the members were confident in the leadership of their chairman, Mr. Tiwei Orunimighe.
He said Kpodo was expelled when he said that the APC was dead on arrival, adding that his expulsion was valid. He said: “We want to make it clear that they are not members of the party. They have since been expelled. Kpodo was expelled when he allegedly said the APC was dead on arrival in the state.
“Oputu has not been part of the party. But, we are suprised that they have been calling party meetings. In what capacity? We do not know.
“We want to alert the members of the general public to know that they are not part of the APC in Bayelsa State and that nobody should deal with them in that respect. We are aware that the re-emergence of these people are sponsored by the PDP government of Seriake Dickson.
“These people have recruited others who are not APC members and have been holding meetings in Richard Kpodo’s hotel. Money is shared to them and this money is from the PDP government through Kpodo and his co-travellers.”
But, the Kpodo’s ‘renegade’ group showed no remorse. Instead, it emerged in a daring move. The members became a faction of the party and formed a parallel state executive committee.
They claimed that the State Working Committee (SWC) led by Chief Tiwe Oruminighe has been dissolved, alleging that Oruminighe and other officers diverted funds donated to the party in the last elections by some governors.
They alleged that members of the legacy party comprising the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) were sidelined in the affairs of the chapter.
The chairman of the faction is Chief Perekeme Kpodo. His deputy is Chief Livinus Opuakpa, other officers are Secretary; Prince Timidi, Organising Secretary; Christopher Abareowei, Publicity Secretary and Chief Harrow Zuokomor, Treasurer. Others are Koripamo Enoch, Financial Secretary; Mrs. Patience Robert, Women Leader; Festus Mondibo, Youth Leader and Kingsley Wire, Welfare Secretary. Kpodo said the action was not intended to create a faction but to restore sanity and internal democracy.
But, the APC dismissed the Kpodo-led group, describing its members as jokers. The party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Panebi Fortune, said the group was made up of expelled and suspended members.
Fortune said Kpodo and his co-travelers were displaying their lack of intelligence and making themselves a laughing stock.
“The constitution of the APC gives no room for any individual or group to suspend or expel any member. For instance, can a group suspend a governor or commissioner and constitute themselves as the executive arm? It is not possible.
“Our constitution makes it clear that it is only the national and state executive working committee that has the constitutional rights to raise its axe upon any member who defaults its norm.
“The state working committee has already expelled the likes of Kpodo and others. Kpodo who is known for political blackmail over the years which is his source of income. He is still bent on it it this time, he will be disgraced”, he said.
Forture advised the groups to remain calm and clamour for change in preparations for the elections.
“Kpodo and his group are failed politicians that they do not worth a kobo in the political market. The APC is well united under our amiable chairman, Chief Timipa Tiwe Oruminighe, and we are confident that come 2016, we shall emerge victorious at the poll”, he said.
The party accused Dickson of masterminding the crisis. The APC in statement signed by Oruminighe, insisted that Kpodo, who was expelled from the party was being used by the governor to destabilize the party ahead of the 2016 governorship election.
The party said it initially wanted to ignore Kpodo “for the fact that he had been expelled from the party with ignominy”, but decided to reply him for the benefits of some persons who are “oblivious of his tainted background as a blackmailer and political jobber”.
APC urged the people to disregard Kpodo’s antics, describing him as a drowning man and a stooge in the hand of Dickson’s administration.
The statement added: “A few months ago, Kpodoh declared that the APC in the state was dead on arrival because the party refused his demand to be made state chairman.
“Since then, he had been working to sabotage the party, hence he was expelled. It is now baffling that he has turned around to declare himself the state chairman of a party he said was dead on arrival.
“We are not unaware of the antecedent of Kpodoh. He has always been an agent of destabilisation. This has been his way of life. That is why he is today being used by the Bayelsa State Government to cause confusion in the APC. He will not succeed.
“As for the Seriake Dickson—led government that is using Kpodoh and his ilk to cause confusion in the APC, we want to warn that those living in glass houses don’t throw stones. We are ready to confront them, if they will not desist from meddling in our party affairs.”
But, Dickson distanced himself from the crises, saying he is “too preoccupied with the business of governance.” The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said he is busy with programmes and projects to develop the state.
He said: “Governor Henry Seriake Dickson is too preoccupied with the business of governance and is determined to transform the lives of Bayelsans for good as is already evident in its transparent administration, commitment to good governance, landmark infrastructural development, empowerment of the people, free compulsory and qualitative education, social welfare payments to the elderly and unprecedented health infrastructure.
“Tiwe and his ilk in the troubled APC in Bayelsa State should look for someone else to blame for the party’s many troubles because, by opening its doors and welcoming all sorts of characters steeped in treachery, it is not surprising that APC is born and bred in crisis. But, Tiwe should kindly leave the Bayelsa State government out of its growing confusion.”
APC has many hurdlers to cross in its bid to unseat the governor, who has a progressive root and is perceived by a section of the state to have raised the bar of development.
According to observers, Dickson’s re-election bid is not a tea party. The party must be united and present a credible candidates. Besides, APC must manage the conflicting interests of bigwigs to avoid an implosion.
The Police in Bayelsa State said yesterday that they have recovered the remains of victims of Thursday’s crude oil pipeline explosion which occurred in Agip’s field in the state.
Twelve people died in the explosion which occurred while Agip staff were carrying out routine maintenance on Tebidaba-Clough line, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
Two persons are still missing according to the police.
Spokesman for the State Police Command, Mr Asinim Butswat, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that search and rescue efforts for the missing persons had been activated, but yet to yield any result.
He said: “twelve persons were burnt beyond recognition, which included a soldier on guard duty amongst others.
“Four persons were rescued alive and are undergoing treatment, while two persons are still missing. Search for the missing persons is ongoing,” Butswat said.
With hopes of a domestic diadem still burning brightly, Sunshine Stars’ next match comes against rivals Bayelsa United in the Nigeria Professional Football League today at the Akure Township Stadium
Kennedy Boboye’s men have enjoyed a productive month, with last week’s 1-1 draw at Lobi Stars three days after pegging down Akwa United 3-1 at the Akure Township Stadium – but are tied atop the NPFL with Enyimba on points.
Tunde Adeniji scored against Lobi – taking his season tally to seven – and the forward appears to be finally hitting his straps after a quiet start to life in Akure.
Bayelsa United come into this game in a buoyant mood after taming Warri Wolves to move steps up the relegation zone, though they are still three points from the sinking ground.
The Akure Gunnesr have not dropped a point at home this season but 90 minutes will decide if they can cage the visitors who boast of the away record in the league.
Coach Ogenyi is likely to make changes as to the team who bowed 2-1 to Ifeanyi Ubah FC during the week as they hope to avoid a defeat at home..
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) having ruled Nigeria for 16 years and now the opposition party is considering fielding young candidates for the forthcoming elections in selected states.
The PDP is considering young gubernatorial candidates for Bayelsa and Kogi states in its desire to re-brand the party by involving young people as the new faces of the party.
Describing the party as one that is bleeding at the moment and in need of redemption is not an overstatement.
Furthermore, there is no denial that majority of Nigerians have lost hope in the party after its 16 years tenure with a history of broken promises and haphazard performance.
Some Nigerians now see the party as that of looters and old crooks not to be trusted. The massive onslaught against the party by the current ruling party, All Progressive Congress, (APC) is another factor responsible for the poor perception about the PDP.
The APC is a party of young and vibrant ideas as exemplified by their involvement of young people in their presidential and generation election campaign. The APC recognizes the place of every Nigerian youth and were greatly rewarded by the youths as majority of them mobilized for ‘Change’ during the last general elections.
The PDP National Working Committee and the Board of Trustees has woken up to the painful reality that Nigerians will no longer trust the same old politicians within its fold and as such they must evolve new ways to communicate, reach-out and get the support of the Nigerian people, and as such have decided to strategically position young people with good names to become the new faces of the party.
It was gathered that the former president Goodluck Jonathan has also advised the party to consider fielding younger candidates in forthcoming elections of Bayelsa and Kogi and ensure they make provisions for some influential and brilliant young people in the BOT and the NWC at the next year’s Extraordinary Congress Election when new officials of the party are to be elected.
Many elders within the party have now accepted the fact that they need to give the younger ones within the party some major roles and advised the party to zone at least 5 positions of the NWC to young people and another 5 to the BOT, following the appointments of Rinsola Abiola, Ismaeel Ahmed and Jasper Azuatalam, 3 young people into BOT of the APC in furtherance to giving young people a strong voice within the party.
The NWC on its part has agreed to allow the younger generations take over Party Registration and Membership drive as they believe the youths within the party can get millions of Nigerians to once again have confidence in the party and join the party.
They have also agreed that young people within the party should setup a robust online platform to include Online Membership Registration.
One of the greatest challenges the PDP has always had is the issue of imposition of candidates on the party which makes it impossible for young party members to secure party tickets or even have the courage to contest for elective positions.
With the new development within the party, more young people will be able to contest for elective positions within the party. The immediate beneficiaries of this new policy of the party might be two young men within the party who are contesting to become governors of their respective states, Moses Siloko Siasia who is contesting to be governor of Bayelsa State and Mohammed Ali running to be governor of Kogi State.
Profile of both Persons:
Moses Siloko Siasia, from Sagabama LGA, a 35year old young leading light of Nigeria was named as one of the 200 Young African Economic Leaders for Tomorrow by Choiseul, renowned French Institute in their 2014 ranking.
Parisian institute describes Siasia as a young African leader who is reshaping the continent’s economic scene. It said men like Siasia embody the vigour and renewal of an entire continent and carry the hopes of an entire generation.
Mr. Moses Siloko Siasia is the Chairman of Mosilo Group, with huge investments in Engineering, Real Estate, Oil & Gas, Agro Processing and Project Management. The Group is a wholly owned indigenous Company with strategic partnership with some of the world’s leading technical Companies. The Group has employed over 400 young people and has continued to up the ante in human capacity development locally, with offices in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and United States.
He is the Chairman/Founder of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum, a non-governmental organisation made up of primarily young, dynamic and upwardly mobile individuals with innovative ideas that is aiding Nigeria’s development. Siasia conceived the NYPF as a platform for the development of young professionals in Nigeria through quality educational programs, national and global networking and leadership opportunities, the group has united over 7million young professionals globally with presence in 15 countries. A lawyer by profession, he is running under the platform of the PDP and has attracted lots of grassroots support most especially from youths and women.
Mohammed Ali (39years old), from Dekinah Local Government Area of Kogi, is the immediate past LGA Chairman of Dekinah.
The governor dissolved the LGA suddenly to frustrate his political ambitions. He has the support of many LGA Chairmen in the state. He was the Secretary National Association of Kogi State Students NAKOS 2002-2004, then became the President of NAKOS from 2004-2005.
Ali became Special Adviser, Student Affairs to former governor Ibrahim Idris, then Liasion Officer 1 of Dekinah LGA and later elected substantive Chairman of the LGA. When he was Chairman of the LGA, he was elected as the Chairman of the Northern Local Government Forum which compromises of 419 LG Chairmen. He coordinated the 419 LGAs for Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidential Campaign for 2015. Now he is aspiring to govern Kogi State. He is a graduate of Bayero University, kano. He is an Economist. Has a Masters Degree in Economics with option of Petroleum and Energy Economics.
A new generational leader, he has the support and network of all youth within the age bracket of 30-45years old in all the 21 LGAs of the state.
Since he declared his intention to run for governor in the state, the PDP that was almost dying in the state has come back to life because the younger generation see his declaration as an opportunity for them. Many who have lost hope in the party have started to once again believe in her.
•Navy, Opume bury 25-year-old soldier killed by Boko Haram
Tears. Tears. Tears. If only tears could wake the dead, Seaman Paul Alex Amaseimogha would have no business lying stone cold, face up in his white casket. Who did not cry that day? Perhaps only people oblivious of the death of the 25-year-old.
Friends, family members, relations and residents of Opume kingdom in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, were weeping, sulking and crying.
Like the river surrounding Opume, the tears of Darling, the mother of the deceased, flowed. Like the water cascading from a fountain, the tears of Miss Yusuf Emma-Ojo, 25, the deceased’s fiancee, who hails from Kogi State, flowed.
Rogers, the father, was all tears as he repeatedly used his wrinkled bare palms to wipe his swollen visage. In fact, the community was beaten by the same bug of sorrow.
Those who could not cry stood with their hands folded. The misery permeated so much in the community that children disappeared from playgrounds.
That Amaseimogha died was not the reason for the tears. The circumstances surrounding his death and the fact that he was cut short in his prime fighting a needless war in the Northeast caused the lamentation.
He was one of the young soldiers trained in counterterrorism in Belarus and deployed in Borno State to flush out the Boko Haram insurgents. He was hit by bullets in the Boko Haram battlefield and the vivacious young man described as an intelligent and patriotic soldier by his peers later passed on.
While his fellow fallen heroes were buried in a dedicated graveyard in Abuja, the family of the late soldier requested that his remains should be brought back to them for interment. The Chief of Naval Staff directed that the remains of Amaseimogha should be taken to his Ijaw community and buried according to the Navy tradition.
So, the residents amidst their tears, rained curses on Boko Haram and called down evil on sympathisers and sponsors of the evil group. Miss Ema Yusuf, the fiancee of the late soldier was the worst-hit. The beautiful young woman never expected that a man she had dreamt of spending the rest of her life with would die unexpectedly.
•A relation goes down in pains
This is a day I least expected to come soon,”she sobbed. Recalling her last meeting with him, he said: “The last time I saw him was when he said they were taking them to Jaji Forest in Kaduna State. He left. The next call I got was that they were going to Maiduguri.”
But Miss Yusuf said something unusual happened.
“The last time he called, I don’t know, I was in a programme, we were launching an album with Samsung and he was calling again and again. He had never called me like that. He later sent a text saying he was going to the warfront. I never heard from him again.
“I only heard he was dead. His friends told me. A friend of his sneaked from their camp there to come and see me with some Alex’s properties, his phone, and he was like Alex is dead. I didn’t believe it at first but when I saw his phone, I knew he was no longer there again.”
She further remembered that she had earlier mounted pressure on him to resign from the navy but the late Amaseimogha refused insisting on serving the country.
On why she asked him to leave the service, she said: “I told him to resign but he refused. I told him so because they were not paying them. They were not giving them the necessary attention. They don’t even care if they were there. Some died of dehydration, no water.”
She said the man she never married would not have died if he were attended to immediately after the attack. “He survived the attack for a whole night. No medics attended to him. They cared less. They just left them there without any medication, no attention.
“He wouldn’t have been a dead man because he got the attack on Friday and died on Saturday morning. He didn’t die immediately, he survived all through the night. There was no proper care, they kept saying, ‘the helicopter has not arrived’, until he gave up,” she said.
In a tearful voice, Miss Yusuf displayed a ring festooned in her finger and said her fiancé made a vow that after their six-month contract of combating the terrorists, he would take her to the altar. But she said he never came back. She said her fiancé was so decent and Godly that throughout the period of their courtship, he never made love to her.
“He gave me this ring proposing marriage. He said they have signed a six-month contract that after he is coming back to finalise everything but he never came back,” she lamented.
Describing the late soldier, she fondly called Alex, she said: “Alex is a very unique man in nature. He is very tolerant. He loved his country. He wished there was something more he could do to solve this Boko Haram attack. Alex is a man that I’ve never met a kind like him on this planet earth.
“All the time we were in courtship until he deceased , he was waiting to take me to the altar before he would ‘cross me’. He never made love to me. He was a very honourable man. I just wish there are men like him out there but I’ve never seen a man like him.
“He is just so unique. He would always challenge me when l called him perfect. He would say, ‘my baby, no man is perfect. It’s only God that you can use that word for. Perfection is of God and not of human’. But to me, he was always my perfect man.”
The aggrieved fiancee could not conceal her loathsomeness to her fiancé’s decision to serve the country as a soldier.
She said: “With everything in me, I regret he served the country. I wish there was something I could do to just bring him back. I’ve been telling his friends to retire from the force because Alex died for nothing.
“He died but they are not recognising him. He survived, but they didn’t give him care and attention. Why are they dying there for nothing. The government does not even know you are there. There is no food to eat and there is no water. Your colleagues are dying of starvation and dehydration.
“There was one that died instantly. He was walking and was shouting water, water, water, he fell and died. I regret he served Nigeria because it was not worth it. How can a man put his life at stake in the warfront and died and there will be no attention from the government.
“I don’t think it worths it at all. I get angry everyday and ask myself what is this for? Everything about him is cut short, his unborn children, his home, his family is mourning. Where is the government?”
Just like Miss Yusuf, Rogers, the father of the deceased, is still in shock. All his investments on his late son had ended suddenly in a white casket. He said his son would not have died if he had avoided the special force.
“He was a brilliant and intelligent child. After everything, he went for Naval training successfully and passed out. I trained him at the Petroleum Institute in Warri. After graduating from that place, he said he was going for Naval training, I sponsored him to that very place not knowing that at the end, this type of thing is going to happen.
“He graduated and was working as a Naval officer already and after two years he told me that he had got another training at oversea, Russia. When he came back, he said he is no more in Navy that he is in special force and I asked him what is the difference between Special Force and Navy and he said that side is better than this.
“I never knew the force was facing defence at the Maiduguri Forest. When he returned from that place, he was posted to Abuja, from Abuja to Maiduguri. When he got to Maiduguri, he phoned me and told me he was at Maiduguri and I said where Boko Haram is? He said no problem, that they went for defence and I said okay.
“At the end of it, I was called and told that he is dead. After that I came back to the community to receive his body from the Federal Government. As you see me, I am not happy, there are tears in my eyes,”he said.
The 50-year-old said the twin brother of his deceased son is studying at the University of Calabar, describing all his sons as responsible, respectful and obedient.
“They are six and they are united. Nobody fights. They obey me to the core,” he said.
He, however, added: “I have no regrets that he went to the Navy even until now. The diversion is from the training at Russia, he wouldn’t have died. At Navy, he was trained as a communicator, they didn’t train him to go to war. I regretted he diverted from Navy to other area.”
He demanded adequate compensation from the Federal Government. He said the news of his son’s death got to him as a rumour which he later confirmed to be true.
Also, Silas, the twin brother of the deceased ,described his death as painful and shocking.
“We didn’t expect it. I heard from him three weeks before his death. We used to chat on Whatsapp.
“The last time we spoke, he told me about his experience in Sambisa Forest. He told about the progress they were making. He had this passion for the Navy so I don’t regret that he joined the Navy because it was his decision and he did that for a reason. I miss him a lot”, he said.
Even his first cousin, Mr. Mitema Amaseimogha, never believed that he was dead. The relative who works with road safety said there was a time he was rumoured to have died but it turned out to be false.
He said: “Last December, there was a rumour that he was dead and I was in Jaji at the Nigerian Army Training School. Then I called him and he said he wasn’t dead. So when I heard about his death,I didn’t believe it until I saw his corpse. I feel very bad, we were so close. My mother took him as her son. He is not the arrogant type, he would always play with the children around.
“He had always wanted to work for his country. He had always loved the uniform men. He was staying with us at Opolo whenever he comes to Bayelsa state,before he went for the recruitment. Since then, we never met again. It’s over three years now but we have been communicating on phone.”
Navy buries its own
The late Amaseimogha was given a military burial based on the tradition of the Navy. He was honoured by top echelon of the navy from the Naval Headquarters, Abuja and the Headquarters of the Central Naval Command (CNC) in Yenagoa. His body was driven into the riverine Ijaw community in a convoy of the Navy.
The Chief of Naval Staff was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), CNC, Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoigbe, who ensured that the ceremony was carried out to the details. Ogoigbe led the naval officers to the community and spent time pepping up the family members and giving them reason to live again.
The pall bearers, soldiers dressed in military fatigue, lowered the white coffin draped in a naval flag in the arena. In tears, the community gathered to witness the departure of their hero and to catch a glimpse of his remains.
They listened to the officiating priest as he spoke on hope for a better life. Quoting from the Bible, he described death as the greatest enemy of mankind. At the end of the sermon, the citation of the late Amaseimogha was read to the audience.
After the sermon, it was time to bury the heroic solder. He would not be buried within the community because of his age and the fact that he had no wife and children. It is the custom of their people. Therefore. The pall bearers bore his coffin and in military fashion and command walked about a kilometre to a nearby forest where youths from the community dug his grave. There he was laid and covered after 21-gun salutes.
The curtain fell on the late gallant, patriotic, disciplined, dedicated and intelligent soldier. But the Navy took his accoutrement comprising shoes, cap and the naval flag and the FOC presented them to Silas, the deceased next-of-kin, as objects of remembrance.
The FOC curdled and consoled Silas. He also gave N250,000 from the chief of naval staff to the family for the burial expenses and asked Silas to begin the process of collecting all the entitlements of his late brother.
Among the senior naval officers, who trooped out to honour the late soldier, were Commodores A.K. Owo-Chuks, B. Babagbale, C.A. Ofor, F.O. Teimisan, U.B. Onyia and M.A. Eno.
The man Amaseimogha
He was born in Opume Town on May 1, 1990. He attended the Community Primary School, Ogbia Town and had his secondary school at the Community Secondary School, Ayakoro in Ogbia Local Government. He, however, completed his secondary school in Adagbabiri after which he proceeded to the PTI, Warri where be obtained a Diploma in Computer Engineering.
He later attended the Navy Training School in Port Harcourt where he was trained as a communicator. He served as a full-fledged naval personnel for two years and was sent to Russia because of his intelligence for a five-month training. He served as an intelligent officer in the special forces before he was transferred to Maidguri were he died.
Navy pays tributes
The FOC read the citation of their late soldier and described him in glowing terms for dedicating his life to fight for the peace of Nigeria. He said the deceased paid the supreme price of patriotism.
“He went for the training, he did very well. It was not everybody that went for the training that passed. He came out and he was deployed happily. He never expected he will die. None of us that have joined the military look forward to death. But we know death is the ultimate prize you pay for your patriotism. He is a hero, he paid the ultimate prize for his love and patriotism for Nigeria.
“Like the Reverend Father stated in his sermon, Alex is not dead. He has gone to sleep. He has done his bit for Nigeria. He paid the prize to ensuring that Nigeria is a peaceful country.
“We are very proud of him and in that regard I will state again that on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, officers, ratings of the Nigerian Navy, I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to the Amaseimogha family to the Opume community and to the great Bayelsa state for giving us a worthy son that immensely fought to ensuring peace in our dear nation, Nigeria”, he said.
FOC later described the ceremony as a sad day for the Navy.
He said: ”It is a day of mourning. In fact it reminds us alive and in uniform that, God is just our guidance. He keeps us when we go in and go out for operations. We are just using today to observe his ultimate prize for his patriotism to the nation.
“He was in combat fighting insurgency in the northeastern part of the country. These days,operation is not done by one service alone. We carry out operations jointly. So, he was on one of the special forces in support of the Nigerian army to ensure that insurgency is reduced in the country.
“Casualty is expected every time you go into combat. When you go in and come back, you give thanks to God. Some percentage of casualty is always expected, it could have been any one. It is a pity he is a young man.
While describing his burial as special, he said the name of the deceased would remain indelible in the cenotaph of departed heroes. “His name will be indelible. It can never be erased”, he said.
On how they relayed the tragic information to his family, he said: “When we heard that the young man fell in the battle front, what we did was to promptly check out record to look for his next-of-kin. The next-of-kin happened to be his twin brother, so we communicated with him immediately.
“He is a student of UNICAL. We connected our base in Calabar to locate him, which they did through his address and that’s why you see us here today. We gave them the option of either burying the young man in national military cemetery in Abuja or to bring him home and they decided to bring him home.
“The military has a tradition for everything. We have a procedure for communicating with the next-of-kin. In fact, the next-of-kin is informed first before any notice and announcement”.
So, the journey of the late Amaseimogha ended abruptly. He fought gallantly for peace and paid the supreme prize. It is only expected that the country will reciprocate the sacrifices of persons especially soldiers who shed their blood for peace and sovereignty of Nigeria.
An Honorary Special Adviser and member Board of Directors of Bayelsa Oil Company Limited, Chief Alex Ekiotenne, Tuesday opted out of Governor Seriake Dickson-led administration ahead of the 2016 governorship election.
Ekiotenne, an elder statesman and one of the brains behind the Bayelsa People’s Consultative Assembly (BPCA), said he abandoned the government because Dickson disappointed the people of the state.
The chief was a rallying point for Dickson at the inception of his administration and would issue monthly statements mobilising elders and Bayelsans to support the government.
He, however, fell out with the governor and joined a group of anti-Dickson elders to form the BPCA which is concluding plans to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Ekiotenne in a press conference in Yenagoa told journalists that Dickson derailed from the consultative approach to development programmes and transparency objectives of his government.
He said the governor without consultations embarked on many projects in one fell swoop without considerations to prioritisation, strategic needs and funding prospects.
“The age-long adage that one finger cannot remove lice from the hair is very instructive. Thus, lack of strategic planning, prioritisation and a result-oriented advisory system gave productivity and sustained performance serious impairment.
“While productivity was expected to rise, there was a steady decline in productivity and good performance of government in almost all sectors which has inexorably led us to the present state of gloom,” he said.
He said successive governments in the state including Dickson’s administration, were carried away with the fat federal allocations and failed to develop the industrial, agricultural and commercial sectors of the economy to promote internally generated revenue (IGR).
“Bayelsans believe that if consultations and strategic planning including prioritisation had been sustained, we would not have found ourselves where we are today,” he said.
According to him, the sorry state of affairs in the state and the need to find a solution to “the quagmire” compelled elders and highly-placed stakeholders to form the BPCA.
Ekiotenne, who is also the Spokesman of BPCA, said members of the group had identified the APC as the only platform in which the political destiny of the state could be pursued.
He added that the group was formed to address the political and social-economic issues in the state.
He said the group embarked on wide consultations with the leader of APC and former Governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, and the National Working Committee of the party led by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
He said: “The NWC of APC gave its blessings to the holding of a grand rally for the demarcation of all prominent new members and their teeming supporters into the APC fold.
“The leader of the party in the state, Chief Timipre Sylva clearly reiterated his resolve to stay out of the governorship contest to create a level-playing field for the emergence of a credible and widely acceptable candidate of choice for the APC in the forthcoming election.”
He said the BPCA would embark on bringing all groups of like minds in a mini summit in preparations to defect to the APC.
He insisted that Sylva promised not to run adding that members of the group believe the former governor.
“It is a contentious issue. We visited Sylva as the leader of the party in the state. Nobody can take it from him. As a statesman he came in openly to say that he was not going to run. We take his word and that is where we stand.
“We will soon become members of APC formally. We are waiting for the consummation of the process of joining the APC. The PDP has suspended its leading figures in the state. So, the complete psyche of the PDP is broken down irretrievably.
“I am from Ekeremor and I am sure that if election is conducted in my local government area, APC will win 90 per cent of the votes. Almost all opinion leaders in the state are members of BPCA including some people in the government,” he said.
It was a poignant sight as children of some primary schools in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State trooped through the streets to protest deprivation of their rights, especially the issue of early marriage for girls.
•The children and adults protesting against child marriage in Cross River.
The pupils who were drawn from St Pearse’s Primary School, Government Primary Ofelekan, Presbyterian Primary School, and St Joseph Primary School bore placards to drive home their grouse as they insisted their voices must be heard in matters that concern them.
The occasion was the Day of the African Child with a theme that focused on the problem of early marriages, but the pupils said it was a matter that affects them directly and the programme to mark it was organized by the European Union (EU) and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the state government.
Stakeholders also joined the voices in the call to intensify the fight against early marriage.
UNICEF consultant, Mr James Beesah, condemned the discrimination between the girl and boy child, female genital mutilation, child labour as well as other forms of child abuse.
He said all children irrespective of gender have a right to proper education, good water and sanitation, and a good environment to grow among others.
Programme Manager of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSSA), Mr Patrick Emori also called for a synergy among relevant stakeholders to fight against child marriage.
He said child marriage is a complex issue that has devastating and long term effects on the life of girls, who are always victims.
The issue, he said, was a human rights, gender, health, cultural and developmental one and hence should be tackled on all fronts.
He said children should take an active part in the fight by speaking against it wherever they find the problem. He encouraged them to talk to their parents, Government and leaders in the society about the issue.
The wife of the chairman of Yakurr Local Government Area, Mrs Ekaette Akpama, said the days when girls were left behind in terms of Education and other developmental issues, are gone.
She urged male and female children to take their education seriously to ensure a better future for themselves.
The Coordinator for the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme in Yakurr, Comrade Onun Omini Usani, said the issue of child marriage in the area was still quite high and urged that efforts be concerted to reduce it as in other communities in the country.
He said: “What we see for the young ones is either they are impregnated or because of poverty their parents force them to early marriage or to raise money to support the male child. At the end of the day you discover that the female child would not have a future. They just bring them as young as they are into bearing children and taking them to hard labour in the farm. If this is checked, we will now be able to have more of the female children in schools.
“Apart from this day of the African Child, where I know we had a good rally and creating public awareness, I think the level of awareness in terms of this activity is very low. Even at school, curriculum does not even capture some of these social vices. Organisations, agencies and government need to work together to tackle this. We don’t need to depend on yearly events so everybody should be aware that it is an evil to the girl child and it should not be. The fight should be more consistent.
“My advice is that children should be given the opportunity to express themselves, especially the opportunity of the right of education and the enabling environment to develop themselves.
“Parents should known that is their responsibility to train the children, especially the girl child. So parents should stop encouraging child marriage and create other avenues to get resources to help their children. I also want to advise government that parents who indulge in that kind of practice should be persecuted as a deterrent to those who don’t want to change from this activity. Parents should stop it and it should be discouraged.
“Parents should bear children they can take care of, because part of the problem we are talking is this issue of child spacing. You have so many children within a very limited time without adequate resources to take care of them. So they should have children they can take care of because when the burden is too much, they do these things and the effect is on the children who are always at the receiving end.”
A teacher at St Pearse’s Primary School, Mrs Nkoyo Mbang, who also doubles as the Coordinator of Environmental Health Club described child marriage as a bad culture which brings a lot of hazard to the woman.
“The problem before now was elaborate. Only that now parents are trying to train their girl children so it is a bit reduced. Before now a girl child was not sent to school. The parents would say “I don’t want to send you to school because if I do it is your husband and husband’s people that would enjoy you.” The awareness is growing now that if the girl child is educated, it is the whole nation that is being educated. My advise to parents is that the girl child is not a slave, but should be seen as the boy child. She ought to be taken as important as the boy child.
“We should continue to talk about it so that people who indulge in this vice would desist. When we had the day of the African Child, it is just once a year. Efforts should be made all year round by relevant stakeholders to ensure that the problem is tackled. So those in charge and policy lawmakers should put more effort in tackling this issue of child marriage.”
A parent from the area, Mr Ikpi Eyong, said: “Early marriage poses severe health threats to the victims, some even leading to death. It can lead to vesicovaginal fistula which is a major health problem for the girl. Also it causes dropout from school which in turn would lead to a low literacy among the women folk. I would advise other parents as myself to please don’t allow their young girls to get married off as children.”
And in Bayelsa
Unicef and the Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Bayelsa State were recently preoccupied with the protection of child’s rights in the state. Even the Glory FM 97.1 joined in the partnership to seek an end to various practices that violate the rights of a child.
The institutions were no doubt bothered by early marriages, sexual abuses especially rape, physical abuses, lack of access to education and other abuses militating against the development and maturity of children in the state.
As part of the activities to celebrate the day of the African Child, UNICEF and its partners relocated to Kaiama, the headquarters of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state. They invited pupils of different schools in the area and involved them in the celebration.
This year’s celebration of the African child by UNICEF is attached to the Soweto killing,the 1979 South African experience where some students carrying out a peaceful protest were murdered by the police. June 16 was set aside by UNICEF to honour the departed students.
First, the pupils were given a task that exposed them to their rights as contained in the African Children’s Charter. They were asked to engage in a competitive creative drawing with a theme, “25 years after the adoption of the African Charter, accelerating our collective efforts to end child marriage in Africa”.
Pupils from Okoro Primary School; Imgbela Primary School,Odi; Igbeta Primary School,Odi; King Bolou Primary School; Amasian Primary School,Odi; Group School 1,Okpokuma; Reverend Proctor Memorial School 1 and 2, Kaiama, participated in the competition.
The pupils busied themselves creating images in their heads and also putting lines together to make the images real. The event attracted many dignitaries who watched as the pupils engaged in the competition.
The Project Manager, RUWASSA, Mrs. Wini Asingbe; Head of Nutrition, Mrs. Felicia Afenfia and the Kolokuma-Opokuma Education Secretary, Mr. John Appah were all in attendance.
Afenfia said it was necessary to instill creativity in the minds of the young ones. “Creativity should be instilled in our children at a very young age. Some are born artists while others are trained.
“Engaging them in this kind of competition sharpens their skill. Teaching them healthy competition is very important for a healthy future”, she said.
After the competition, the children sat to listen to instructors who spoke on various issues bordering on their rights. One of the resources persons, Dr. Bodies re Teibowei, appealed the female children not to allow anybody take advantage of them sexually
She asked them to stop keeping secrets and to expose anybody attempting to abuse them sexually by touching their breast and waist. Addressing them she said: “Say no to bad people.”
She further encouraged the children to be serious with their studies and to use their talents to attain greatness.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Glory FM, Mr. Lawson Harford who was represented by ?the Deputy Controller Programmes, Mrs. Biboera Adobeni said the theme for this year’s celebration was apt. He called on the children to be responsible useful to their families and the society at large.
Ashingbe demonstrated to the children the benefit of washing their hands before and after meals and after using the toilet. She urged them not to drink river water and also encouraged them to ensure they drink clean water always.
Apah appreciated UNICEF for choosing Kolokuma/Opokuma out of the eight local government areas in the state saying that the exercise was a success. He enjoined the children not to disappoint their parents and the society at large.
The pupils held a community awareness rally and presented of short drama. Prizes were also given to the winners of the art competition.
Kidnapping spree has continued unabated in coastal communities of Bayelsa State.
The Enewari community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area was the latest destination of gunmen whose activities created panic among the residents.
The bandits were said to have abducted three women and in the process killed a young man in the community.
The slain man was said to have incurred the wrath of the abductors when he tried to foil the devilish operation.
The gunmen numbering six were said to have stormed the community on Tuesday in two speedboats.
The women were reportedly kidnapped in a community market amidst many gunshots.
Traders at the market were said to have abandoned their wares and ran to different directions for safety.
The deceased man, whose identity couldn’t be determined was said to have been gunned down when he attempted to raise the alarm to thwart the kidnap operation.
The kidnappers were said to have whisked their victims away on a speedboat to an unknown place.
A member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency III, Mr. Daniel Igali, confirmed the incident on the floor of the state House of Assembly while moving a motion under a matter of urgent public importance.
He described the invasion of Enewari community by the gunmen as a worrisome development.
He said the recent upsurge in kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state were creating fear adding that members of the state House of Assembly may not be safe to visit their constituencies.
The motion was supported by Gentle Emelah representing Yenagoa III; Mr. Ebiye Tarabina (Kolokuma/Opokuma II), Mr. Parkinson Mac-manuel, Yenagoa 1; Chief Mitema Obordor , Ogbia 1 and Bernard Kenebai, Sagbama II.
The House passed a resolution imploring the state Chief Judge to set up a special court to try cases of kidnapping and related offences.
